Study Reveals Avoidable Sight Loss Costs Indian Economy $27 Billion Annually :
A global study released ahead of World Sight Day reveals that avoidable sight loss could cost the Indian economy $27 billion per year. This study, conducted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), comes as the theme for World Sight Day this year is “Love Your Eyes at Work,” emphasizing the importance of eye care in the workplace.
The research indicates that India, after China and the US, experiences the highest economic losses due to avoidable sight loss. As the world of work evolves with technology, service industries, and office-based jobs that involve prolonged screen usage dominate the future economy. Failure to take appropriate precautions can result in eye strain and have adverse effects on eye health.
The study, led by Kevin Frick from Johns Hopkins University in the US, utilized GNI per capita data from the World Bank to estimate productivity losses among people aged 50-65 with moderate to severe vision impairment and blindness due to uncorrected refractive error or unoperated cataracts.
Currently, India has 70 million people with visual impairment, ranking third in potential savings among the countries studied. Globally, sight loss costs the economy $411 billion annually, as reported by the Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health.
Approximately 30% of individuals with sight loss experience reduced employment opportunities, with women, rural communities, and ethnic minority groups among the most affected. Nevertheless, early detection and treatment can prevent 90% of sight loss, safeguarding livelihoods and fostering business growth.
Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB and spokesperson for the Love Your Eyes campaign, emphasized the role of business leaders in promoting workplace well-being, including eye health.
He suggested various ways to create a vision-friendly work environment, such as eye health education, connecting employees with eye health services, including eye health in insurance plans, and adjusting screen settings. The goal is to build healthier, happier workers and prevent avoidable sight loss to benefit both individuals and businesses.
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